Microsoft warns
Wave of fraud on Android smartphones: apps secretly take out expensive subscriptions – you can do that about it
The current scam is particularly nasty – because the surprise only comes when it’s too late.
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According to Microsoft, nasty fraud attempts are and will remain a plague for Android smartphones. In this case, it’s about apps that secretly take out expensive subscriptions – and the bill doesn’t follow until the end of the month. The only way to counteract this is to take a radical step.
The freedom of Android smartphones has its price: the Google system is repeatedly plagued by waves of fraud and malware – and users generally have to be more careful when programs are loaded outside of the official Play Store. A sustained wave of fraudulent apps is probably forcing those affected to make changes to their mobile phone contract, as otherwise it would be almost impossible to get at them.
Expensive subscriptions without confirmation
According to Microsoft, these are so-called “toll fraud apps” that subscribe to paid services in the background without any action. According to official data from Google, almost 35 percent of all malicious apps are this type of scam.
The experts at Microsoft write that this is now so mature that it is difficult for security software to detect. This is also due to the fact that the fraudulent apps adapt – i.e. only become active on devices with which a certain provider is used. These apps load the data required for this as required, so that no two programs are the same – and would otherwise be easier to recognize.
The process is always the same: when such an app starts working, it first switches off the WLAN to enable billing via the mobile network provider. After that, she contacts a fraudulent provider of paid services. If the user sends a one-time password via SMS, the app grabs the code and passes it on to confirm the subscription without human interaction. The person using it does not notice anything.
How to prevent subscription fraud
Microsoft also provides help on how to avoid this scam. Accordingly, apps should only be downloaded from sources such as the Play Store and avoid dubious providers of smartphone software. It is also helpful to update the smartphone whenever possible and to load possible updates. Finally, you should check which access rights a program is requesting – and prefer to deny the corresponding inquiries if there are any ambiguities.
Fortunately, such apps can also be blocked in general without having to pay much attention to the correct configuration of the smartphone – even if this is still an urgent recommendation. Because on most websites of German providers, so-called third-party locks can be set up. This puts a stop to all attempts to misuse the mobile phone bill as a payment method. Information on how to do this with the most important providers can be found below:
The only disadvantage: Of course, this also prevents you from being able to book subscriptions from reputable providers via the monthly billing.